I have been on 60mg cocodomol 4 times a day for a long time now.
My doctor has just switched me to 30mg Zomorph instead and I am getting a lot more breakthrough pain than before.
Are the strengths comparable or will my doctor be trying to give me a lower dose to start with to see how little he can get away with. Have literally not been able to think of anything but the pain today.
I took my first dose yesterday at 7 and then this morning at 7 and paracetamol at regular intervals all day.
Do I need to grit my teeth till 'it kicks in' as it were.
I also take Gabapentin and then Oromorph for breakthrough pain
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Chronic pain
Zomorph prescribed strength
missnevermind · 20/07/2022 18:15
Burnedoutdr · 20/07/2022 19:43
What do you take it for?
Codeine is a crap drug because people metabolise it differently so it's difficult to know how much opiate you're getting.
Your language re: "what he can get away with" makes it sound like you have a dependency on these drugs.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/07/2022 19:59
Nope,it sounds like the OP is well used to managing their pain and is used to medical professionals starting you off on the lowest dose possible.
OP,my mum had liquid morphine for breakthrough pain but sounds like you should speak to the GP again in case there's an alternative doseage.
Burnedoutdr · 20/07/2022 19:43
What do you take it for?
Codeine is a crap drug because people metabolise it differently so it's difficult to know how much opiate you're getting.
Your language re: "what he can get away with" makes it sound like you have a dependency on these drugs.
missnevermind · 20/07/2022 19:57
@Burnedoutdr
You are quite right. I do have a dependancy on these drugs. I depend on them to help control the pain so I can function as a human being.
StarCourt · 20/07/2022 20:21
@Burnedoutdr and yet so many GP's prescribe them for chronic pain conditions...
Burnedoutdr · 20/07/2022 20:18
Any responsible doctor adheres to "start low and go slow" rather than whacking people on the highest dose of any drug. It's to avoid side effects.
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/07/2022 19:59
Nope,it sounds like the OP is well used to managing their pain and is used to medical professionals starting you off on the lowest dose possible.
OP,my mum had liquid morphine for breakthrough pain but sounds like you should speak to the GP again in case there's an alternative doseage.
Burnedoutdr · 20/07/2022 19:43
What do you take it for?
Codeine is a crap drug because people metabolise it differently so it's difficult to know how much opiate you're getting.
Your language re: "what he can get away with" makes it sound like you have a dependency on these drugs.
Burnedoutdr · 20/07/2022 20:30
You're on that cocktail for Fibromyalgia? Jesus christ. That is a serious problem.
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thesootherfairy · 21/07/2022 04:29
@missnevermind
Zomorph is a slow release version so should give you relief for longer but if you're using it like codeine for break through pain it won't work well.
Your GP hasn't informed you well on how to use it. Go back and ask for more info. Or if you can't face it. Google. Zomorph is very strong but as slow release it will take a few days to work due to the slow release. It's very different to instant relief from codeine.
To the rest of you coming on here and suggesting op is drug seeking and addicted and opioids shouldn't be used for chronic pain need to fuck right off.
Clearly none of you have the slightest idea about unbearable and unending pain. Pain that won't end or stop until you die.
How insensitive and rude and patronising and disrespectful. Piss off with that.
And yes I'm up at stupid o'clock in pain. Mine is spondyloarthritis. Fun facts like: joint pain in lower limbs, enthesitis (look that up. It's nasty), inflammatory bowel disease (yes it can also move on to your intestines), and of course spinal pain.
The Pain Management Consultant I see said this about opioid for pain relief: "you will always be in pain so you won't ever be able to come off them (codeine). Codeine is a better choice than many anti inflammatories as it doesn't cause damage to your heart, liver, kidneys or intestines. And a better choice than gabapentine as your pain isn't neuropathic in origin plus gabapentine turns your mind to mush and will leave you without any quality of life".
Op. The response you've had here from some is so typical. It is the sort of thing which adds to the burden of disease. It's depressing. I avoid talking about my pain even to those closest to me because of reactions like you've had here. It's too hard to hear.
I'm about to start medical cannabis for pain. When the pain management consultant suggested it I thought he was suggesting something illegal. But no. It is available via private prescription. It has taken me a while to pluck up courage due to the stigma around cannabis. But as I can see here, there's stigma and pearl clutching around codeine as well.
If you have any funds available, perhaps try it? I'll let you know how I get on.
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